Football blocking apparatus

ABSTRACT

An athletic practice apparatus having particular adaptability for the game of football characterized by the movement of a blocking structure from a first position to a second position by reason of body contact, and when at such second position, a thrust member is released to move the blocking structure in the direction of the first position.

United states Patent [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS lnventors George 11. Alvey 2805 N. Garvin St.;

5 5 5 2 7 2 mr "J ye wk er PT 39 56 99 ll 77 42 39 3 48 45 23 Paul E. McDaniels, 1100 N. Kelsey Ave.,

1nd. 47711; Roy T. Pease, Jr., 3301 Cave Ave., Evansville, Ind. 47712 Primary ExaminerAnton O. Oechsle Assistant Examiner-Theatrice Brown Attorney-Warren D. Flackbert n 8 69 91 3 m 0 m 7 M o. d N m l n aw fla AFP 1]] 25 224 [ii [54] FOOTBALL BLOCKING APPARATUS ABSTRACT: An athletic practice apparatus having particular adaptability for the game of foo tball characterized by the movement of a blocking structure from a first position to a second position by reason of body contact, and when at such second position, a thrust member is released to move the blocking structure in the direction of the first position.

mm r m m m M 1m m f m c CSLM .lUImF Mum h u .5 a s 3 ,1. a go 1 a @y M/rfi m 3 Patented Ma 11, 1911 2 Shoots-Sheet 1 INVENTORS J Y I. E v N IM m n w fiwm A 4 a: arm

FIE I BY Z/ Patented May 11, 1971 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS GEORGE ll. 41 way ATTORNEY 1 FOOTBALL BLOCKING APPARATUS As is known. there have been many approaches in the form of mechanical apparatuses to'improve the playing ability of an athlete. such as for the game of football. In'this connection. practice sleds are common. as well as various arrangements which urge against player movement during the practice session. g

The invention provides an apparatus which not only urges the blocking structure engaged by the player towards the player. but which. thereafter. and at a second position of movement. releases an oppositely movable thrust member which attempts to resist or overcome the forward movement of the player. The apparatus is one that can be mounted on a fixed or movable base. being represented by operative components including a padded blocking structure, slidable horizontally. both forwardly and rearwardly. but urged in a forward direction. i.e. in the direction of the player. Another member. termed a thrust member. is normally in alocked position and is released when the blocking structure engages such. resulting in movement against or in resistance to that of the player. The overall mechanism can be readily returned to a condition where the thrust member is locked for subsequent use.

In other words, the athletic practice apparatus of the invention acts in two directions to improve the players ability. as for the game of football. Not only must the player overcome a first force to move the blocking structure. but a second force due to a secondarily acting thrust member must be overcome. thereby providing practice advantages not present heretofore.

The invention will become more apparent from the following description. taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. wherein:

FIG; I is a view in side elevation. partly exploded. partly fragmentary. and partly in vertical section. showing the athletic practice apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the invention. corresponding to FIG. I;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the invention, showing. among other features. the thrust member in a locked position; and.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view in side elevation. in this instance. showing the thrust member in an unlocked position.

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention. reference will now be made to the em bodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device. and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Referring now to'the FIGS.. the invention is defined by a support framework 12 comprising a vertically extending support member 120. a base 12b. and webs I2c. The support member 12a has sleeves 12d extending therethrough. one of which is shown in FIG. I. The sleeves I211 are each adaptedto receive a slidable rod 14 secured to a support channel 160 forming part of a blocking structure I6.

A collar l7 surrounds a portion of each of the slidahlc rods I4. being positioned by a flange I7a secured-to the support member I211. as by screw means. Each slidable rod I4 has a flange I4: thereon. positioning spring means I) between such flange 14a and the support member I2a.

The support channel l6 has a laterallycxtending portion which receives a cushioned player engaging member 20. as sembly typically being by pin means 201:. for example. Movement of the blocking structure I6 is achieved in a forward and backward direction with reference to a player. where the spring means I9 urge the blocking structure against the force of the player.

A sleeve I extends through the support member I211 and receives an elongated rod 23 having an outer portion 23a. a

serrated or notched portion 23b. and an inner portion 230.

The elongated rod 23 has an end member 24 defined on the inner portion 230. being either integral or separate with respect to the remainder of the rod. A collar 26 having a flanged portion 26a surrounds a portion of the elongated rod 23. where a spring member 27 is positioned between the end member 24 and the support member l2a. The arrangement is such that the spring member 27 continually urges the end member 24. when released. in the direction of the blocking structure 16.

A control arm 30 is pivotally mounted at I2fonthe top of support member I2u. A linkage 32 having portions 32a and 32h extends between the control arm 30 and a lock member 34. where the latter is pivotal on a flange 35 forming part of the support member [2a. As evident in FIG. 3. the control arm 30 has a hollow portion 30a near its outer end. with respect to the blocking structure I6. through which the outer portion.

23a of the elongated rod 23 passes. the latter being retained in such position by reason of a setscrew positioned collar 25. One end of the control arm 30 is proximate the blocking struc ture I6. for ready hand control (see FIG. 2). where the opposite end of the control arm 30 is weighted (see FIGS. 1 and 3).

In use. and prior to any engagement by a player. the apparatus is normally in the position of FIG. I. i.e. the blocking structure I6 is being urged in the direction of the player by reason of spring means I9. When the player engages the blocking structure 16. and overcomes the force of spring means 19. such moves from left to right in the FIGS.. ultimately engaging the end member 24 on elongated rod 23. Thereafter. the lock member 34 pivots downwardly. as shown in FIG. 4. releasing the elongated rod 23.

At such time. and due to spring member 27. the elongated rod 23 moves from right to left in FIG. I. offering resistance to the players movement against the blocking structure 16. When the lock member 34 is released. and considering the hollow portion 30a of the control arm 30. the control arm 30 pivots in a clockwise direction. because of its weighted end.

and assumes the position of FIG. 4.

When it is desired to reset the-elongated rod 23 to the position of FIG. I. the control arm 30 is moved in a counterclockwise direction in such FIG. The elongated rod 23 is moved from left to right. against the force of spring member 27. and locking may be achieved along the notched portion 23!: on the rod 23. FIG. I shows the'rod 23 in its maximum position for movement.

From the preceding. it should be apparent that the athletic practice apparatus of the invention provides twofold pressure for the practicing player. In other words, after the player has overcome the 'first resistance offered by the blocking structure. and upon release and movement of the elongated rod.

defining the thrust member. the blocking structure is urged towards the player. and the player further attempts to overcome the blocking structure.

The invention is. of course. susceptible to various changes.

In this connection. other locking arrangements may be employed, the control arm varied, and the like. Thus. the preceding description should be considered illustrative, and not as limiting the scope ofthe following claims.

We claim:

I. An athletic practice apparatus comprising a framework. a blocking pad slidably mounted on said framework for forward movement toward and rearward movement away from a player. spring means biasing said blocking pad in said forward direction towards said player. a thrust member mounted rear wardly of said blocking pad for movement in said forward direction. means applying a constant force biasing said thrust member in said forward direction. means locking said thrust member in a rearward position spaced from said blocking pad. and means responsive to a predetermined rearward movement of said blocking pad to release said locking means whereby said thrust member will be moved by its biasing force forwardly to impart a forward force to said blocking pad in addition to the forward biasing force of said spring means. 

1. An athletic practice apparatus comprising a framework, a blocking pad slidably mounted on said framework for forward movement toward and rearward movement away from a player, spring means biasing said blocking pad in said forward direction towards said player, a thrust member mounted rearwardly of said blocking pad for movement in said forward direction, means applying a constant force biasing said thrust member in said forward direction, means locking said thrust member in a rearward position spaced from said blocking pad, and means responsive to a predetermined rearward movement of said blocking pad to release said locking means whereby said thrust member will be moved by its biasing force forwardly to impart a forward force to said blocking pad in addition to the forward biasing force of said spring means. 